I’m not calling the Coach’s Show, Because I Don’t Care What the Answers Are.

[The-Hack]

Like many in here, I played a little football.

Yeah.

Exactly one full season. A bad concussion at practice chilled my parents for signing me up for more.

So, comparatively speaking, I’m football illiterate.

But several folks in seats next to/near to me in the stadium played high school and some college ball.

And these guys were having open conversations pointing out the man coverage of Barion Brown without a high safety. To the extent that we all saw it, several times, with just a 5/6 yard cushion by the Cornerback. Sure, the Corner might cock-block BB within 5 yards, or Barion might drop a pass, or Brock might short-arm a pass, but it worked against man coverage without a deep safety at Ole Miss, and under huge pressure on the road.

On one such play, Brock threw a 10/11 yard button hook to Dane who was knocked OOB’s by the safety was was playing over-the-top on his side.

Losing football games does not kill me. Hell, I’ve lived with Kentucky football A LONG TIME.

But when you hear young women point out obvious sh!t on the field of play, presumably young women who have never played football, it tends to sour your stomach.

I’d love to ask why we never took a shot that the defense was allowing, but I don’t care what the answer is. Because there is no good answer. It happened on at least three successive plays in the first half. If Brock didn’t see it the first time, he has a radio receiver, and Hamdan should have/could have told him to take a glance at the press, single coverage on Barion to the LEFT, after having failed to see it on prior snaps.

Losing doesn’t kill me: but missing blatant and obvious opportunities boils my blood!

 

[RunninRichie]

Stoops sucks.

 

[The-Hack]

Stoops sucks.

He’s managed to pull some wins out of his ass when things got ugly in the past.

But how many games we got left: and how big is that Ass?

 

[mrschwump]

I don't put that stuff on BV, there's a whole press box full of assistants, assistants to the assistants, QA, GA to catch stuff like that. Maybe they caught it but failed to convey, maybe they caught it but failed to communicate it. Maybe they were playing grab ass and missed it all together. Who knows? I just know if I'm Stoops, after that mess Sat night, I'm having one very serious "come to Jesus meeting" with my staff.

 

[Mark80]

I remember the Bill Curry show and the lady called in telling him it was time for him to leave. If UK loses the remaining SEC games it’s time to leave.

 

[kats23]

I don't put that stuff on BV, there's a whole press box full of assistants, assistants to the assistants, QA, GA to catch stuff like that. Maybe they caught it but failed to convey, maybe they caught it but failed to communicate it. Maybe they were playing grab ass and missed it all together. Who knows? I just know if I'm Stoops, after that mess Sat night, I'm having one very serious "come to Jesus meeting" with my staff.

While the staff may and likely is an issue, the QB and his lack of pocket presence and ability to consistently deliver the football is absolutely also an issue if not the biggest issue. Dude does not look off his first option. Over and over again. So unless you call the play to Brown as the first option, it’s on BV to recognize coverage, especially when he comes to the line.

 

[The-Hack]

Who knows?

Right. There is no good answer, and tons of conjecture, all of which is ignorance stacked on ignorance.

 

[FirewithFire]

Brock Vanderpuff most definitely shares some of the blame. He is basically Leary 2.0 or worse since Leary seemed to be able to make something out of nothing every so often.

At this point just run Wimsatt in the triple option flexbone / play action / wing-T and call it a day. It can't be worse than watching Vanderpuff and his noodle arm throw five yard darts into the turf.

Hell, if things go any further south then just get wild and give Cutter a shot.

 

[RunninRichie]

Brock Vanderpuff most definitely shares some of the blame. He is basically Leary 2.0 or worse since Leary seemed to be able to make something out of nothing every so often.

At this point just run Wimsatt in the triple option flexbone / play action / wing-T and call it a day. It can't be worse than watching Vanderpuff and his noodle arm throw five yard darts into the turf.

Hell, if things go any further south then just get wild and give Cutter a shot.

He's a wobbler for sure. Have only saw a few spirals from him.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Like many in here, I played a little football.

Yeah.

Exactly one full season. A bad concussion at practice chilled my parents for signing me up for more.

So, comparatively speaking, I’m football illiterate.

But several folks in seats next to/near to me in the stadium played high school and some college ball.

And these guys were having open conversations pointing out the man coverage of Barion Brown without a high safety. To the extent that we all saw it, several times, with just a 5/6 yard cushion by the Cornerback. Sure, the Corner might cock-block BB within 5 yards, or Barion might drop a pass, or Brock might short-arm a pass, but it worked against man coverage without a deep safety at Ole Miss, and under huge pressure on the road.

On one such play, Brock threw a 10/11 yard button hook to Dane who was knocked OOB’s by the safety was was playing over-the-top on his side.

Losing football games does not kill me. Hell, I’ve lived with Kentucky football A LONG TIME.

But when you hear young women point out obvious sh!t on the field of play, presumably young women who have never played football, it tends to sour your stomach.

I’d love to ask why we never took a shot that the defense was allowing, but I don’t care what the answer is. Because there is no good answer. It happened on at least three successive plays in the first half. If Brock didn’t see it the first time, he has a radio receiver, and Hamdan should have/could have told him to take a glance at the press, single coverage on Barion to the LEFT, after having failed to see it on prior snaps.

Losing doesn’t kill me: but missing blatant and obvious opportunities boils my blood!

I dont think there is 1 absolute answer to what you are asking. I just know there are several that can fit. BV doesn't have the trust/skill to read defenses and is told where to go with the ball or run it. BV doesn't have the trust in BB to make him a priority target, or BV just doesn't see the field very well or trust what he is seeing. You have to know that reading defenses wasn't a requirement in HS he just threw to his top target who had oner 100 catches and number 2 had less than 2.

 

[The-Hack]

BV just doesn't see the field very well or trust what he is seeing.

But on successive plays, where the offensive coordinator could have/should have had him take one shot, by the radio system in Brock’s helmet?

 

[vhcat70]

I don't blame BV. I blame those that thought he was a good option and/or left him as the best of not good options. Why do we suffer so much at QB?

 

[Soupbean]

Like many in here, I played a little football.

Yeah.

Exactly one full season. A bad concussion at practice chilled my parents for signing me up for more.

So, comparatively speaking, I’m football illiterate.

But several folks in seats next to/near to me in the stadium played high school and some college ball.

And these guys were having open conversations pointing out the man coverage of Barion Brown without a high safety. To the extent that we all saw it, several times, with just a 5/6 yard cushion by the Cornerback. Sure, the Corner might cock-block BB within 5 yards, or Barion might drop a pass, or Brock might short-arm a pass, but it worked against man coverage without a deep safety at Ole Miss, and under huge pressure on the road.

On one such play, Brock threw a 10/11 yard button hook to Dane who was knocked OOB’s by the safety was was playing over-the-top on his side.

Losing football games does not kill me. Hell, I’ve lived with Kentucky football A LONG TIME.

But when you hear young women point out obvious sh!t on the field of play, presumably young women who have never played football, it tends to sour your stomach.

I’d love to ask why we never took a shot that the defense was allowing, but I don’t care what the answer is. Because there is no good answer. It happened on at least three successive plays in the first half. If Brock didn’t see it the first time, he has a radio receiver, and Hamdan should have/could have told him to take a glance at the press, single coverage on Barion to the LEFT, after having failed to see it on prior snaps.

Losing doesn’t kill me: but missing blatant and obvious opportunities boils my blood!

I've been on this rant all year about Brock holding the ball. Part of the rant is about why in the hell we dont seem to have any flat or underneath checkdowns for him. The other is why in the hell dont we teach/instruct that when he sees man coverage (and I dont care who the WR is) get the ball out of your hands and give the guy a shot at making a play!!!

Brock seems to always be looking for daylight before releasing it and that rarely happens on man coverage, but it's not necessary either! The pressure is on the DB to defend that without fouling. And the throw doesnt have to be perfect, hell an underthrown ball is better because the WR always has the advantage of adjusting before the DB. The fact that we watch him stand there scannig the field over and over and over and over again without releasing it tells me he's not being coached up to know how to attack man coverage. So damn frustrating to watch. And here's the real burner!!! He does this on third downs where we dont even give a damn if it picked off down field!!! Theres nothing to lose!!! . . .. . where's the Tylenol!!!

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

But on successive plays, where the offensive coordinator could have/should have had him take one shot, by the radio system in Brock’s helmet?

He only has a few seconds with the mic working but plenty of time for a coach to say throw to X. Of course i am not BV, I dont know what he sees when he looks at X, who may be covered, or not as open as BV needs to feel comfortable to make the throw. I am trying not to make excuses for him, I thought he would do well. But the facts are he is actually playing for the first time in 3 years, and even back then he was playing in the smallest classification in the state.

 

[K_TIME]

1. I am at the same game…and Vandy for sure had single high safety most of gwme…so I hardly see Barion being covered with non single high safety

2. But those comeback routes…Brock has hit those to Barion as the cushion is massive that teams show his side

3. Out Oline simply can’t hold up long enough on consistent basis to do those 5 step drops…Dane runs more slants and 15 yard dig routes…and it’s obvious to me Brock trusts throwing to Dane…which I wouldn’t blame him

4. Why Ky doesn’t throw more deep routes to Barion….seemed like Coen did that last year and it hardly ever completed

Personally, I’m not worried about more richer to Barion…I’d be way more trying to get Wilcox 10+touches a game…he’s the more consistent game breaker for Ky

 

[mrschwump]

1. I am at the same game…and Vandy for sure had single high safety most of gwme…so I hardly see Barion being covered with non single high safety

2. But those comeback routes…Brock has hit those to Barion as the cushion is massive that teams show his side

3. Out Oline simply can’t hold up long enough on consistent basis to do those 5 step drops…Dane runs more slants and 15 yard dig routes…and it’s obvious to me Brock trusts throwing to Dane…which I wouldn’t blame him

4. Why Ky doesn’t throw more deep routes to Barion….seemed like Coen did that last year and it hardly ever completed

Personally, I’m not worried about more richer to Barion…I’d be way more trying to get Wilcox 10+touches a game…he’s the more consistent game breaker for Ky

Wilcox needs 15-18 carries/game but I don't know if we'll see him again. He's not listed on this week's depth chart and with Stoops comments Mon I just don't know if he's even in the scheme. I like Demi but he's not an every down back in the SEC, speed is ordinary, does seem to block well but he's not a guy you can hang your hat on. Whatever this little chickenshit fight is between Stoops and Wilcox needs to get fixed.

 

[EKCAT4YRS]

Wilcox needs 15-18 carries/game but I don't know if we'll see him again. He's not listed on this week's depth chart and with Stoops comments Mon I just don't know if he's even in the scheme. I like Demi but he's not an every down back in the SEC, speed is ordinary, does seem to block well but he's not a guy you can hang your hat on. Whatever this little chickenshit fight is between Stoops and Wilcox needs to get fixed.

Wilcox is the one who needs to fix it imo!

 

[mrschwump]

Wilcox is the one who needs to fix it imo!

Agreed.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

I am ignorant to a problem with Wilcox and the coach. What's going on?

 

[gojvc]

But on successive plays, where the offensive coordinator could have/should have had him take one shot, by the radio system in Brock’s helmet?

I’m really starting to wonder if Bush Hamdan knows what he’s doing.

 

[K_TIME]

Wilcox is the one who needs to fix it imo!

Agreed…Wilcox is most likely the one to fix things. Stoops has no track record of dissing a kid for no reason

 

[EliteBlue]

Wilcox needs 15-18 carries/game but I don't know if we'll see him again. He's not listed on this week's depth chart and with Stoops comments Mon I just don't know if he's even in the scheme. I like Demi but he's not an every down back in the SEC, speed is ordinary, does seem to block well but he's not a guy you can hang your hat on. Whatever this little chickenshit fight is between Stoops and Wilcox needs to get fixed.

Our OLine is weak pass blocking and stretch run blocking. They are best between the tackles and downhill (makes sense bc it takes less agility).

Wilcox needs more touches and has big play ability.

Demi is consistent and gets some hard yards.

stick whichever QB can make the best reads in the RPO game and put both backs in the backfield with him…use a lot of misdirection, speed/read option, jet sweep, presnap motion. Shift the run pass ratio to 70/30. Get the stacked box and then hit big plays tk Key, Brown, and Maclin.

 

[mrschwump]

Our OLine is weak pass blocking and stretch run blocking. They are best between the tackles and downhill (makes sense bc it takes less agility).

Wilcox needs more touches and has big play ability.

Demi is consistent and gets some hard yards.

stick whichever QB can make the best reads in the RPO game and put both backs in the backfield with him…use a lot of misdirection, speed/read option, jet sweep, presnap motion. Shift the run pass ratio to 70/30. Get the stacked box and then hit big plays tk Key, Brown, and Maclin.

Hints we'll see Traynum this Sat as well as OL changes(Ford/Wood). Be interesting to see if it develops. I've been disappointed in the lack of use of Maclin, the guy's a thousand yard producer in his past.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

He’s managed to pull some wins out of his ass when things got ugly in the past.

But how many games we got left: and how big is that Ass?

Imo this is a serious flaw in stoops' ability to motivate himself and others. He cant handle prosperity because he thrives on adversity.

Until he can learn how to thrive in prosperity too, he and uk will always be in this cycle.

 

[YardCat]

I’m really starting to wonder if Bush Hamdan knows what he’s doing.

Sounds like we need the Woman that was sitting next to Hack as our offensive coordinator.

 

[bthaunert]

I’m really starting to wonder if Bush Hamdan knows what he’s doing.

It’s time to stop blaming the OC. Shannon Dawson is the perfect example. In the last 4 years, he’s been the OC at Houston and now Miami.:

Houston
2021 w/ Dawson - 15th in the nation in scoring
2022 w/ Dawson - 17th in the nation in scoring
2023 without Dawson - 90th in the nation in scoring

Miami
2022 without Dawson - 97th in the nation in scoring
2023 w/ Dawson - 39th in the nation in scoring
2024 w/ Dawson - 1st in the nation in scoring

Liam Coen is one of the hottest names in the NFL right now because of what he’s doing at TB.

This is not an OC problem…this is a HC problem.

 

[ukalum1988]

I remember the Bill Curry show and the lady called in telling him it was time for him to leave. If UK loses the remaining SEC games it’s time to leave.

You’re certainly not wrong, but he’s got a contract that makes it extremely difficult to make him leave involuntary.

Like many others I respect the job Stoops has done, but I believe he’s taken the program as far as he can.

 

[bthaunert]

You’re certainly not wrong, but he’s got a contract that makes it extremely difficult to make him leave involuntary.

Like many others I respect the job Stoops has done, but I believe he’s taken the program as far as he can.

It's not nearly as difficult as people think. The buyout is paid out over the life of the contract. If you pay the buyout annually through 2031 and you pay a new coach $6 million, your annual expense to the head coaching position would be about $12.5 million, or $3.5 million more than we currently pay. With a budget that is at $176 million, finding $3.5 million is not overly difficult.

 

[3632]

It’s time to stop blaming the OC. Shannon Dawson is the perfect example. In the last 4 years, he’s been the OC at Houston and now Miami.:

Houston
2021 w/ Dawson - 15th in the nation in scoring
2022 w/ Dawson - 17th in the nation in scoring
2023 without Dawson - 90th in the nation in scoring

Miami
2022 without Dawson - 97th in the nation in scoring
2023 w/ Dawson - 39th in the nation in scoring
2024 w/ Dawson - 1st in the nation in scoring

Liam Coen is one of the hottest names in the NFL right now because of what he’s doing at TB.

This is not an OC problem…this is a HC problem.

After this many seasons I'm not sure how anyone would muster a legitimate dispute to this aspect.

 

[Soupbean]

It’s time to stop blaming the OC. Shannon Dawson is the perfect example. In the last 4 years, he’s been the OC at Houston and now Miami.:

Houston
2021 w/ Dawson - 15th in the nation in scoring
2022 w/ Dawson - 17th in the nation in scoring
2023 without Dawson - 90th in the nation in scoring

Miami
2022 without Dawson - 97th in the nation in scoring
2023 w/ Dawson - 39th in the nation in scoring
2024 w/ Dawson - 1st in the nation in scoring

Liam Coen is one of the hottest names in the NFL right now because of what he’s doing at TB.

This is not an OC problem…this is a HC problem.

Im beginning to think you're right. I was a huge Hamdan guy and excited he was here but have to admit the play calling has been all over the place and odd and off kilter at times where we completely go away from things that are working mid game. Some of this may be because he's trying to fit Stoops wishes at times. I know Hamdan is better than that.

 

[Eagles_Ball]

While the staff may and likely is an issue, the QB and his lack of pocket presence and ability to consistently deliver the football is absolutely also an issue if not the biggest issue. Dude does not look off his first option. Over and over again. So unless you call the play to Brown as the first option, it’s on BV to recognize coverage, especially when he comes to the line.

I've said it before on here. He's a one read QB. That stuff doesn't get much better during the course of the season. Honestly, given the issues with the O-line and BVGs inability to show any sort of consistency at all, it's hard for me to believe Wimsatt doesn't give the offense a better chance to move the ball.

 

[Eagles_Ball]

Im beginning to think you're right. I was a huge Hamdan guy and excited he was here but have to admit the play calling has been all over the place and odd and off kilter at times where we completely go away from things that are working mid game. Some of this may be because he's trying to fit Stoops wishes at times. I know Hamdan is better than that.

Just curious...What made you excited about Hamdan? Was it something in his past employment history or performance?

FTR...I think this is a Stoops issue, mainly. But each situation is different. Gran is/was a magician. I think Dawson has evolved. I also think his numbers at Miami are greatly inflated due directly to playing defenses w/o a pulse. We all know Cohen is/was damned good. There's no planet you can tell me Scang was good or even average. That dude was clueless calling plays. I'm basically in the same camp as Hamdan. He was given an opportunity at Mizzou when Drink relinquished play calling duties. He flopped badly enough that Drink just let him go. I personally think he's way out over his skies running an offense in this league.

 

[The-Hack]

It's not nearly as difficult as people think. The buyout is paid out over the life of the contract. If you pay the buyout annually through 2031 and you pay a new coach $6 million, your annual expense to the head coaching position would be about $12.5 million, or $3.5 million more than we currently pay. With a budget that is at $176 million, finding $3.5 million is not overly difficult.

Well reasoned and good math “for the way things were.”

With the Federal litigation moving forward to pay athletes back to 2019 (Lynn Bowden and friends will get some green) and then beginning next year. 20% of gross receipts, the major schools are feeling a chill regarding finances right now.

I suspect there will be very few firings the next 12-24 months until all the turmoil is settled regarding the new profit-sharing model.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Brock was only sacked once, I believe. As a team, we averaged 5.3 yards a carry. Taking shots at BB sounds good. But, making Vandy actually show it could stop the run would also have been nice. Even on that last drive, giving the ball to Wilcox when Vandy thought we just needed to throw would not have been a bad idea. Wilcox had 3 carries for 35 yards. His shortest run was 4 yards. His shoe came off. It did. Get it back on and get him back in the game.

 

[On-On-UK]

I was listening to a college football talk show. I don't remember the the details, but they were talking about a team whose quarterback took the snap and recognized a corner blitz. He immediately threw to the receiver who was left uncovered by the blitzing corner.

It made me think, why don't we have these instincts? This is just like backyard football we played as a kid. Throw it to where the defense aint.

 

[Bluesbrother]

I don't put that stuff on BV, there's a whole press box full of assistants, assistants to the assistants, QA, GA to catch stuff like that. Maybe they caught it but failed to convey, maybe they caught it but failed to communicate it. Maybe they were playing grab ass and missed it all together. Who knows? I just know if I'm Stoops, after that mess Sat night, I'm having one very serious "come to Jesus meeting" with my staff.

I doubt his "staff" can conjure up enough respect for him to take whatever he says seriously.

 

[Tskware]

I don't blame BV. I blame those that thought he was a good option and/or left him as the best of not good options. Why do we suffer so much at QB?

Possibly because our coaching staff and especially our allegedly top drawer recruiting coordinator are NEVER able to sign and develop a HS QB, so we are always going after a JUCO or someone else's backup hoping to strike gold, which we did once, with Wil Levis.

 

[_ukcat]

Possibly because our coaching staff and especially our allegedly top drawer recruiting coordinator are NEVER able to sign and develop a HS QB, so we are always going after a JUCO or someone else's backup hoping to strike gold, which we did once, with Wil Levis.

One of if not Stoops big problem,no QB development! In this day an age of Offensive Football you have to have Top QB play to win Big time. The Staff just isn't able to coach up a QB and a No Top Level High School QB will want to come and play in Stoops system of basically Win with Defense and grind out the clock offense and basically being a Game Manager.

 

[vhcat70]

Possibly because our coaching staff and especially our allegedly top drawer recruiting coordinator are NEVER able to sign and develop a HS QB, so we are always going after a JUCO or someone else's backup hoping to strike gold, which we did once, with Wil Levis.

Well that's what I was surmising, but wanted to hear from someone intelligent & knowledgeable. You'll have to do. 🤪

If things - performances - don't change, might as well start Boley come Game 10 to keep his RS. Wimsatt is clearly a known quality & not preferred to BVG.

 

[3632]

One of if not Stoops big problem,no QB development! In this day an age of Offensive Football you have to have Top QB play to win Big time. The Staff just isn't able to coach up a QB and a No Top Level High School QB will want to come and play in Stoops system of basically Win with Defense and grind out the clock offense and basically being a Game Manager.

I happened to turn a tv on during lunch yesterday and it was on fs1 from the baseball playoffs the night before. It happened to be on a segment with cowherd where they were talking about some nfl orgs and how some just don’t have a feel for one side of the ball year after year. Don’t know what they’re doing and aren’t really sure what they are after or what direction they’re going in. They’re always just taking players and not really fulfilling any plan. It reminded me exactly of stoops. Primarily they mentioned Steelers who always muster a defense but feel rudderless offensively most of the time and the packers who are the opposite.